March 19, 2020
Waiting With No Answers
Kelly Balarie
Today’s Truth
Hope deferred makes the heart sick... (Proverbs 13:12, NIV).
Friend to Friend
For months, there's been a deep longing in me. On some days, I quietly call-out to God. On others, I nearly yell-out my desire to Him. I hope my dream will happen. I want it to happen. Yet, despite all my prayers – time-after-time -- doors keep getting shut on me. All I hear is, "No! No! No!"
I pray again. No. I pray later. No.
Nothing gives-way. Nope. Dead air.
Ever been there?
I’m quite certain, some of you have been praying for years for: one thing. Some of you have shed tears and sweat over a person. Some of you have tried to push forward, anyway, and hit a wall. Some you now live in defeat, doubt, or despair. As if you are “the only one” that this is happening to…
"Hope deferred makes the heart sick..." Proverbs 13:12, NIV
Does your heart feel a little “sick” because you’ve lost hope?
I thought about something the other day that renewed my hope. It was this: I never withhold things from my kids to hurt them. The only time I withhold things is to give them a better thing. I don't give them sweets all the time, because I want them to have good health. They can't watch TV, because I want them to do homework and have opportunities in life. They can’t get together with that one friend, because I know that friend would lead them down the wrong road. My end-goal is always -- their benefit, joy, growth, life, increase, learning... My end-goal is always their good.
If I'm a good mom, to some degree, how much more does God, our Good Father, say no -- for our benefit? How often is what looks bad, actually being used – for our good?
It's as if God says: No, not this person. I have someone better for you. No, not right now. I am going to blow your mind 1-year later because my plan is so much better than yours. No, I am still developing the gifting so you can carry out the blessing, with purity.
God's "No!" always leads to a better yes.
So, what do we do in the meantime? While we wait?
1. Pray differently. If the prayer you've prayed on repeat is hitting a brick wall, try pivoting 2-steps and praying from a different angle. Example: If you've been asking for the other person to change, try asking for you to see them through different eyes.
2. Take some new steps. Rather than trying to knock over a brick wall, try to walk around it. Ask God for different ways he may want you to move. Ask him to show you the actions He wants you to take in the here and now.
3. Learn. Ask God what you need to grasp from this time period. Delays are divine set-ups to learn. If you ask Him, if you seek Him, if you keep knocking -- the door will be opened unto you. Do not despise wisdom that leads you to a different door.
God loves you. He has a good plan for your life.
Let’s Pray
Father, may You, the God of hope, fill us with all joy, hope, and peace for believing.
In Jesus’ Name,
Amen.
Now It’s Your Turn
What good might God be working out through what appears to be – bad? How have you seen Him work all things for good, in the past?
More from the Girlfriends
Kelly Balarie, blogger at Purposeful Faith and author of the new book “Battle Ready: Train Your Mind to Conquer Challenges, Defeat Doubt and Live Victoriously” is passionate about joining hands with women who often find themselves stuck in the pits of life. Step-by-step, word-by-word, her dream is that together they can emerge better - fear, fret and panic-free. Get all of Kelly’s Purposeful Faith blog posts by email for a dose of inspiration and encouragement.
Originally published Thursday, 19 March 2020.
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